Khaberni - A recent study revealed that dark sweet cherries may contain natural compounds that can help slow the growth of an aggressive type of breast cancer.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas, focused on plant compounds known as anthocyanins, which are the natural pigments that give cherries their dark red color.
Experiments showed that these compounds helped slow tumor growth and reduce the spread of cancer to other organs in the body.
The researchers focused on a type known as "triple-negative breast cancer," which is one of the most difficult forms of breast cancer to treat.
Researcher Julianna Noratto, from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the university, explains that this type is particularly aggressive because its cells divide very rapidly, and it lacks hormonal receptors and proteins that are usually used as therapeutic targets in other types of breast cancer.
Due to the absence of these "targets," treatment options are limited, and the likelihood of the disease spreading to vital organs such as the lungs and brain increases.
Experiment on Mice
The results of the study were published in the "International Journal of Molecular Sciences," where researchers divided mice into four groups: a group that received anthocyanin compounds from cherries before tumor implantation, a group treated with the chemotherapy drug "doxorubicin" after tumor emergence, a group that received a combination of cherry compounds and chemotherapy, and a control group that received no treatment.
The results showed that the mice that received cherry compounds before the tumors developed experienced slower tumor growth, without obvious side effects, and maintained their normal weight during the experiment.
However, the mice that received chemotherapy alone lost some weight, while tumor growth slowed afterward. But when cherry compounds were combined with chemotherapy, tumor growth slowed earlier, while maintaining a healthy weight for the mice.
Effect on Genes and Cancer Spread
The researchers also studied the activity of genes within the cancer cells and found that cherry compounds reduced the activity of genes associated with cancer spread and resistance to treatment.
The results also indicated a decreased likelihood of cancer spreading to organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen, although the number and size of tumors varied among the animals.
To understand what happens inside the body more precisely, the researchers examined tumor tissues under the microscope, where veterinarian pathologist Lauren Stranahan studied the speed of cancer cell division and the extent of its spread in various organs.
The team also focused on immune cells known as T lymphocytes, which play an important role in resisting cancer cells. Stranahan explained that assessing the aggression of cancer also involves understanding how well the tumor can weaken the response of these immune cells.
Preliminary Step and Not a Treatment
Despite the encouraging results, the researchers emphasize that natural compounds found in foods like cherries cannot replace traditional medical treatments, but they might help support them.
Noratto points out that cherry compounds may affect biological pathways not targeted by current treatments, opening the door for the development of complementary treatment strategies.
However, the researchers stressed that the study was conducted only on animals, meaning that applying the results to humans requires further research to understand how these compounds are absorbed in the body and their potential role alongside current treatments.
